Swimming can have many benefits for children with autism, including developments in communication, sensory integration, social skills, time and task completion, and water safety. Not to mention, swimming is fun, so let’s dive right in!

1. Communication

Children with autism can have delays in communication development. Building Blocks uses various augmentative and alternative communication tools to facilitate effective and efficient communication with our students. One example is providing each student with a daily schedule using symbols, instead of words.

The vertical alignment of the symbols tells the student the order of events, while each symbol indicates an activity. From this schedule, the student knows her day will start at the lockers, followed by a bathroom break, and visit to the schedule board. Next, she’ll change into her bathing suit, then practice swimming at the indoor pool and outdoor pools. Then, she’ll change clothes and have lunch before going home.

As the day progresses, the student checks off each activity as it is completed. We find that the symbol schedule is a great tool, but of course, expressive communication is also key throughout the day’s activities.

2. Sensory integration

Children with autism can have sensory integration issues. Swimming is a great opportunity to work on sensory integration using the texture and temperature of the water, light reflecting on the water, and sounds traveling around water.

3. Social skills

Children with autism can have social-interaction difficulties. Swimming provides an opportunity to improve upon social skills by facilitating interaction between the student and the other people in the pool. This might mean working with a staff member to practice floating, or sharing goggles with a classmate.

4. Time and task completion

At the indoor pool, each student works one-on-one with one of our staff members to complete one or two lists of tasks. Based on how quickly the student completes each list, he is given time for free play in the pool. At the end of a set amount of time, he leaves the indoor pool and heads to the outside pools.

The first list starts off basic, allowing the student to get used to the environment.

First and second, the student is asked to touch water with his hands, then with his feet.

Third, the student splashes the water with her hands.

Fourth, the student splashes the water with his feet.

Fifth, the student kicks his legs on the side of the pool.

Sixth, the student gets his whole body in the water with an adult.

Seventh, the student “kisses” the water.

List 2 requires a bit more comfort in the water.

First, the student blows bubbles.

Second, the student lies on his belly in “the superman” position.

Third, the student floats on his back in “the big belly” position.

Fourth, the student kicks her legs while holding onto an adult.

Fifth, the student kicks while holding onto a kickboard or noodle.

Sixth, the student goes under water.

Seventh, the student treads water.

5. Water safety

Water safety is always important, but this is especially true for children with autism because they do not always respond to verbal commands, and can be easily distracted. Through swimming practice, we hope to increase our students’ familiarity with water, swimming skills, and understanding of water safety.

Note: Thank you to our students’ parents and legal guardians for giving us permission to use the photos above.